<p>Hi. I'm going to be starting my sophomore year of high school in about a month. I'm also currently taking classes at community college. I have it set up so that when I graduate from high school with a diploma, I will have all of the college credits that I need to transfer to a university with junior standing. When I apply to to colleges, I will be applying as a transfer student, not as a high school student. I was wondering if it is necessary for me to take the SATs because of this.</p>
<p>I also have the option of getting dual credit for my college classes so that I will graduate from high school after junior year and skip a year of high school altogether. I'm not sure what I want to do yet but any thoughts, advice or experience would be helpful. Thanks.</p>
<p>You’ll need to check the individual schools. Most will want to see SATs or ACTs since you haven’t been a full time college student. And as a transfer student you would have less chance of getting merit aid/scholarships.</p>
<p>I don’t believe you will be applying as a freshman, because I think that if your college credits are earned before your high school graduation, you can still apply as a freshman, which is a good thing. Then, after acceptance, your college will look at all your college credits earned and decide which/how many will apply to your degree. In many cases most or all of your credits will apply. But check with some of the colleges that interest you to confirm their procedures. As to your questions–do you like high school, the social life, activities, your EC’s, etc? If so, no harm in sticking around to enjoy your senior year, maybe really take on some leadership roles. But if you’re bored, and not really excited about staying in high school, then you may as well move on–you could travel if you have the $, or work for a year, or go straight to college. Does it make a difference to your parents, financially or otherwise? I myself started college at 16, finished my master’s at 22 with no ill effects that I can tell.</p>
<p>Is there a special reason you’re taking this approach?</p>
<p>Where do you hope to go to college?</p>
<p>I’m taking this approach because I’d like to knock off a couple years of my schooling. I enjoy going to school but I’d rather not spend more time there than I need to. I only take a few college classes each semester so the work load is not overwhelming and I really enjoy taking the classes. I think it’s an easy way to get a little ahead of the game, at least for me, anyway. </p>
<p>As to where I want to go, I haven’t picked a specific college. I’d prefer one close to the beach but it’s not really a big deal.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice. Right now, I’d like to stay for my senior year but, if I change my mind, I have the option. </p>
<p>My reasoning for starting college early is to get ahead of the game, what was your motivation? I don’t know many people who are doing what I am or their reasoning. I’m curious about yours…</p>
<p>Certain amount of life experiences can come only with time. </p>
<p>enjoy your time as a student/kid/young adult.
Getting old will come soon enough.</p>
<p>I went to school back in the day when if you were well above grade level, you skipped a grade, in my case it was in elementary school. With a late fall birthday, I had started school at 4. So in my case, I was always the youngest kid in the class, by a year and a half or so. Personally, I had lots of fun my senior year, with lots of time spent in my main EC, which became my career. So, if you like high school, and have a nice group of friends to hang out with, enjoy it. Seems like you’ll graduate early from college anyway, with all your college credits, even if you end up doing a double major or dual degree.</p>
<p>btw, in my earlier post I meant to say that I believe you WILL be applying as a freshman, not as a transfer student. (This is good because there is merit money available to freshmen but not to transfers, usually.) So, yes, you’ll need the SAT for most schools.</p>
<p>You will need to look at specific regulations for each university you are considering, but at the university I work for, you would be considered a direct from high school matriculant but you could have advanced class standing (sophomore or junior, depending on credits). As a direct from high school student we would require your hs transcript (and any college transcripts), and your test scores.</p>
<p>At our school you would be in better shape if you already had your associates’ degree vs just transferring in credits. Not everything transfers. We do have a transfer articulation guide on our website (as do many schools) so students can see what will/won’t transfer.</p>
<p>As mentioned above financial aid/scholarships are usually the best as a direct from high school student.</p>